§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant 939 of Ireland, with reference to the statement on the previous day that the Government were anxious to pass the Belfast Government Bill, Whether the right hon. Gentleman could account for the Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant postponing the measure till Thursday next, having already postponed it from Wednesday last till Monday; and, whether the right hon. Gentleman will give any assurance whether further opportunities of proceeding with the Bill would not be defeated by the action of the Under Secretary?
THIS CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR), (Manchester, E.)in reply, said, he was not in the House when the occurrence passed, and he referred the hon. Gentleman to the Under Secretary?
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)said, he thought the matter was very simple. On the first occasion when this Bill came before the House the hon. Member for West Belfast expressed his anxiety that it should proceed with all possible despatch. A proof of this anxiety was that at 2 o'clock in the morning the House was kept in a desultory wrangle for two and three quarter hours. After that he did not think he was justified in bringing it forward after 2 o'clock in the morning.
§ MR. SEXTONasked, whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman would proceed with the Bill on the next occasion it came on?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANIf it comes on at a reasonable hour.
§ MR. SEXTONWhat will he a reasonable hour?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI think a good deal depends upon the temper of the House.